diff --git a/backend/atlas_portal/routes/account.py b/backend/atlas_portal/routes/account.py
index b178afc..f60f9da 100644
--- a/backend/atlas_portal/routes/account.py
+++ b/backend/atlas_portal/routes/account.py
@@ -509,5 +509,6 @@ def register(app) -> None:
         try:
             result = trigger_nextcloud_mail_sync(username, wait=wait)
             return jsonify(result)
-        except Exception:
-            return jsonify({"error": "failed to sync nextcloud mail"}), 502
+        except Exception as exc:
+            message = str(exc).strip() or "failed to sync nextcloud mail"
+            return jsonify({"error": message}), 502